USFA, IAFC releases ethanol training course

By Kris Bevill | September 08, 2008

Web exclusive posted Oct. 2, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. CST

The U.S. Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have made available a CD-ROM course to train first-responders on appropriate actions to take when dealing with ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel incidents.

The course, titled "Responding to Ethanol Incidents and Ethanol Fixed Facilities and Assessment Guide," was developed cooperatively by the USFA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition. The rise in ethanol use across the United States combined with the unique firefighting methods required to combat ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel fires warranted the development of the training program, according to the USFA.

The course focuses on seven areas: the history of ethanol; the physical and chemical characteristics of ethanol; transportation of the fuel; storage and dispensing locations; the principles of fire-fighting foam; ethanol blended fuel emergencies and bulk storage fire incidents.